VIVAIA Feature
December 21, 2022
When one of my favorite sustainable shoe companies, VIVAIA, reached out to ask about featuring me on their 100 Lifestyles series, I was thrilled to share my story. The best part is, they wanted to feature my dog Westley too. Here are a few excerpts from the article. To read the whole thing, click HERE.
#endless passion
Growing up, I used to tell my parents I was going to be a triple threat: an actress, singer, and dancer. I like to think I fulfilled many of those dreams and more, from blogging and social media to competing in Miss America pageants and talent shows. But I finally found my passion for working in healthcare.As much as I love STEM fields, I have never been able to separate art from science. I am a strong advocate for STEAM, adding arts to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There is no better profession than medicine to exemplify the need to integrate one with the other. It was Michelangelo who broke into crypts in order to study the anatomy of the human body. And the discovery of DNA’s structure came from Watson and Crick’s stick and ball model sculpture thanks to the woman behind it all, Rosalind Franklin, who captured the original image through X-ray crystallography.
Having earned a dual-degree in Classics (the study of Greek and Roman history, cultures, language, and mythology) and Biology, I am conditioned in using my “left brain,” described as logical, analytical, and objective in conjunction with my “right brain,” or the intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective side. This helped me not only in learning the medical terminology, the majority of which is Greek and Latin in etiology but also in patient care and being able to think outside the box. The path to becoming a doctor is not easy but it is worth it. Every day I get to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and listen to patients’ stories while improving their quality of life. My goal in writing this is to show you that choosing your future career should not limit you but rather inspire you to be creative, to explore, to grow, and to succeed. Just remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
#dogmom
Westley is as much a cheerleader as I am, especially in the morning. He is without fail a big ball of energy, so much so, many doubted he could be properly trained. However, after some extra puppy classes, Westley soon proved even our dog trainer wrong. He has learned not only the basics like sit, down, stay, and come but also advanced tricks like roll over, bow, fetch his leash or a specific toy, put away his toys, and so much more. We are currently working on speak buttons and so far, he has learned to say “Play” – his favorite (and only) word. His intelligence and determination (even if it is food motivated) taught me not to let anyone tell you that you cannot do something; be the “dogtor” of proving them wrong.
Speaking of his intelligence, he truly is a dog after my own heart because he, like his mom, knows the importance of respecting shoes. While he has chewed almost everything else I own, he has not once chewed a pair of shoes.
Read the full feature HERE and be sure to check out VIVAIA - they even have an exclusive 20% off discount program that includes healthcare workers.
RVA Fashion Week
October 15, 2022
Proving less is more, this year’s designers went above and beyond with haute couture that showcased luxury through simplicity.
K. McGough's line was inspired by her first winter coat in America, with the colors red and black representing the theme of warmth and fire throughout her pieces.
From monochrome to minimalism, each piece had its own unique details, which left the audience mesmerized.
It is not often you see two fashion designers collaborate on a collection but Paige The Artist and BLUECATHOUSE did an incredible job bringing their ideas together in a fun and vibrant way.
There was so much talent, I cannot wait to see what the Spring Show brings!
'VIDCATION Recap
July 12, 2022
Day 1: Sore throat, fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, cough, photosensitivity, and neck pain. I slept almost the entire day, getting up only to take care of my dog briefly and medicate with DayQuil/NyQuil plus plenty of water.
Day 2: All of the above plus night sweats and back pain. The fatigue and exhaustion became so intense, I could not walk my dog more than a block without fear of collapsing. I also started to feel short of breath with walking. I ended up sleeping prone (on my stomach) that night as a precaution since this is known to help facilitate and maintain lung capacity and oxygenation.
Day 3: The symptoms continued along with a fever and congestion. Luckily the acetaminophen in the DayQuil helped bring it down.
Day 4: Started to develop some nausea but this was brief and improved with soda. I only slept for half the day.
Day 5: Most of my symptoms improved except I unfortunately lost my sense of smell. This was a little frightening but I think it was more related to the congestion as I started to pick up faint scents while the day wore on. Was able to stay awake the majority of the day and take my dog for our usual walk.Day 6: Officially out of quarantine based on the CDC's guidelines and symptoms almost resolved except for the loss of smell and cough.
Day 7: Back to work and my smell returned. I now only have a lingering cough that worsens at night but is manageable and improving.
All in all, this virus is no joke. A few things I was glad I had handy: Thermometer, Acetaminophen, DayQuil/NyQuil, cough drops, tissues, Pulse Oximeter (though this didn't arrive until a couple days in), Incentive Spirometer (I used this to help ensure my lungs stayed well-inflated just in case - see below), plenty of soup, essential oils to rehab my nose when I lost my sense of smell, Netflix, and of course my family, friends, and #colesetters for all the love, support, and get well wishes!
It was not how I wanted to spend my week but I'm glad I listened to my body and took the time to heal. If you have not yet gotten vaccinated, I highly recommend doing so as it will help prevent severe symptoms and hospitalizations.
Top 10 social media tips
June 21, 2022
Take these or leave them but they helped me on here and I hope they help you 👩⚕️
- Be original, be unique, be you. Don’t compare yourself to others. Quality beats quantity any and every time. While it's true that people often find success with "niching" themselves, I am of the philosophy that these platforms are for us to share what makes us happy, inspires us, surprises us, or teaches us something new that we can share it with others. So I suppose you could say my niche is lifestyle with a mix of any and everything. Other people prefer a niche of only medicine or only fashion, only food, only [fill in the blank] meaning whatever topic they are most passionate about.
- If you have to question it, don’t post it. If you’re second guessing yourself there is probably a reason so listen to your gut. It can help to have a second opinion by someone else to give you an outside perspective whether it's a photo, video, or even a caption. Generally if you're unsure, it's best to move on and go in a different direction.
- Check your facts then check them again. It is so easy to re-post and re-share an image, a quote, or a caption you see online. As a result the spread of misinformation is rampant. Cite your sources whenever possible/indicated because credibility is huge both on and offline.
- Speaking of credit, don't forget to credit your inspiration - whether a song, a dance, a quote, etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery as long as it is clear who inspired you. However, stealing or plagiarizing another person's work is wrong.
- Adhere to HIPAA so you do not jeopardize patient care or privacy. This is especially true for all the aspiring #medfluencers out there. Take into consideration the environment you're in not only when you're shooting content but also when you're posting it.
- Follow your job duties/social media policy. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the policy at the organization where you work. It can help to meet with the marketing team as well to ensure you are following the guidelines.
- Be professional and kind. This is also a networking opportunity and a chance to build connections both in and outside your field. Engage with others and don't be afraid to ask questions. We all started somewhere.
- Be wary of brands reaching out, especially when it comes to conflicts of interest and ethical dilemmas. Think of the disclosures you have when it comes to presentations. Also think of the prevalence of scams. Don't give out personal information unless you're 100% sure it's a legitimate company.
- Be supportive of others. Being a #medfluencer comes with the ability to connect with others who also love to show what it means to practice the ART of medicine. Liking, commenting, sharing, saving, and re-posting are all great ways to lift one another up on here. I'm in several local as well as international social media groups online where we share tips and advice for one another. It's also a great way to make friends :)
- Have fun! This is a chance to explore your creative side and balance out the left side of your brain, known for its logical and analytical thinking with the right side of your brain, known for its more artistic and imaginative nature.
Additionally, some of my favorite FREE apps for photo and video editing include:
LightRoom, Snapseed, FaceTune, ReTouch, Canva, Mojo, Picsart, InShot, and CapCut.
What tips do you have? Leave a comment below
Jaanuu Photoshoot
February 27, 2022
Five of us were flown out to LA from all over the country for a once in a lifetime experience, showcasing what it means to be a modern day healthcare worker. They maintained all safety precautions including COVID tests before the shoot. We had our hair and makeup done by an incredible team of stylists and artists before going on set. In between takes we got to shoot some fun behind the scenes videos that captured how quickly we bonded as a team, a unique ability that comes naturally in healthcare.
As part of the campaign, Jaanuu asked us a series of questions to better understand how we rise to challenges and charge up to push through and power our passion. Read below for my answers!
What makes you feel the most power full?
Donning my white coat. It represents not only my years of education and training as well as my commitment to medicine and my patients but that of countless other physicians who together, have paved the way for many of us to pursue our careers, especially for women in healthcare.
When you’re facing a challenge, how do you power up to push through?
I break the challenge down into smaller obstacles that I can tackle one at a time. It makes it more manageable and approachable.
When your power is low—you’re feeling anxious, sad, overwhelmed, over it—what’s a go-to trick in your arsenal that charges your power back up? (Perhaps a song, a person, a workout, etc.)
Playing the song Eye of the Tiger has been a tradition before every board exam to pump me up. Having done my residency and fellowship in Philadelphia, it feels only natural to echo back to Rocky territory and the City of Brotherly Love
What are you most passionate about when it comes to a) work and b) your personal life?
For work: caring for my patients and advancing the medical field of Cancer Rehabilitation
For personal life: caring for my family including my dog, my friends, and most importantly myself. As Michelle Obama once said, we need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own to do list.
Describe yourself when you feel “glowed up”—aka at your very best, and energized to chase your passion?
Any time I put my scrubs on because they represent all that I am as a physician.
How do you plan to charge your future and change the world?
I charge my future by surrounding myself with positive mentors and role models and hope to change the world through healthcare advocacy that breaks down barriers, including disparities and inequities.
Check the new color drops out now at Jaanuu.com!
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